This is a 2026 step-by-step pathway guide for a Greenkeeper migrating to Australia under ANZSCO 362311. 362311 is on STSOL with nomination in all 8 states. Eligible visas: Subclass 190 State-Nominated, Subclass 491 Regional Provisional → 191, Subclass 494 Regional Employer → 191, and Subclass 407 Training. Not eligible for Subclass 189 Independent, Subclass 186 Direct Entry, or Subclass 482 Core Skills.
For the cost / timeline view see the 362311 cost & timeline case study. For VETASSESS document details see the skills assessment guide. For state-by-state comparison see the state nomination comparison. For invitation round patterns see the invitation rounds trends.
Step 1 — Confirm 362311 is the right code
ANZSCO 362311 covers Greenkeeper / Sports Turf Manager work — establishing, maintaining, and renovating sports turf. Day-to-day work:
- Golf course maintenance — greens, tees, fairways, bunkers, surrounds; greens cutting (Toro / John Deere walk-behind cylinder mowers — Tournament Cut at 3-3.5mm for Stimpmeter targets); ride-on triplex fairway / tee mowing (Toro 3100D, John Deere 8000A); rough mowing (Toro Groundsmaster, John Deere R-series).
- Cricket pitch preparation — wicket curating, MCC / ICC pitch specifications, drying / heavy roller compaction, pitch marking, covering / uncovering, dryout strategy.
- Sports field management — AFL / rugby league / rugby union / soccer / soccer ovals; Drop Pitch / SISGrass / Mixto reinforced hybrid pitches at premium stadia (MCG, SCG, ANZ Stadium, Optus Stadium, Adelaide Oval).
- Grass species selection — couch (Cynodon dactylon, Wintergreen, Santa Ana), kikuyu, Tifgreen / TifEagle for greens, Penn A-1, A-4, Crenshaw bentgrass, Sir Walter buffalo for sports, fescue.
- Irrigation — centralised systems (Rain Bird Cirrus, Toro Lynx Smart Decoder, Hunter Pilot Decoder), pop-up sprinkler design / install, soil moisture probe (TDR-350, FieldScout), evapotranspiration-based scheduling.
- Renovation / grow-in — overseeding, sand-topdressing, scarification, aeration (Toro ProCore 648, Wiedenmann Terra Spike, Verti-Drain), greens reconstruction.
- Soil management — soil testing (sodium, salinity, pH, nutrient), wetting agents, fertiliser application via spreader (Vicon, Lely) and boom-spray.
- Pest / disease management — turf pathogens (Fusarium, Pythium, Anthracnose, Helminthosporium); ChemCert-accredited fungicide / herbicide / insecticide application.
- Course / pitch presentation for play — flag / hole movement, pin placement, divot management, fairway / rough definition.
- Equipment — turf renovators, top dressers (Toro MH-400, DTH), aerators (Toro ProCore, Wiedenmann), greens rollers, scarifiers (SR75, Triton), boom sprayers (Toro Multi Pro 1750).
- WHS — chemical handling, manual handling, ride-on mower safety.
Use ANZSCO search to verify code-fit. 362311 is the sports turf code — distinct from 362211 (general gardener), 362212 (arborist), 362213 (landscape gardener).
Step 2 — VETASSESS skills assessment
VETASSESS is the assessing authority. Requirements:
- Qualification — Cert III in Sports Turf Management (AHC30916) or Cert IV in Sports Turf Management (AHC40920), or overseas equivalent.
- Skilled employment — at least 1 year highly relevant employment in the 5 years before applying.
Standard turnaround 12-16 weeks.
See the skills assessment guide.
Step 3 — English
EOI lodgement requires Competent English. For points-tested 190 / 491, target Proficient (10 pts) or Superior (20 pts).
Step 4 — Choose a visa pathway
362311 is not eligible for 189, 186 DE, or 482 Core Skills. Realistic pathways:
Subclass 190 State-Nominated
All 8 states nominate 362311. PR straight away.
Subclass 491 Regional Provisional → 191 PR
All 8 states. 3+ years regional for 191.
Subclass 494 Regional Employer-Sponsored → 191 PR
Regional employer pathway.
Subclass 407 Training Visa
Max 24 months training.
Step 5 — Realistic Australian sponsors and employers
- Premium golf clubs (top 100 Australia) — Royal Sydney Golf Club, NSW Golf Club (Lake Park), The Lakes Golf Club, The Australian Golf Club, Bonnie Doon Golf Club, Concord Golf Club; Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Kingston Heath Golf Club, Victoria Golf Club, Yarra Yarra Golf Club, Metropolitan Golf Club, Huntingdale, Commonwealth, Sorrento; Royal Adelaide Golf Club, Kooyonga Golf Club; Lake Karrinyup Country Club (WA), Cottesloe Golf Club, Joondalup Resort Golf Course; Royal Hobart Golf Club; Royal Queensland Golf Club, Sanctuary Cove, Royal Pines, Brookwater.
- Resort golf courses — Hayman Island, Hamilton Island Golf Course, Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island, Pelican Waters, Coffin Bay, Lord Howe Island.
- Sports stadium turf — MCG (Melbourne Cricket Club ground staff), SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground Trust), ANZ Stadium (Allianz Stadium / Sydney Football Stadium), Optus Stadium (Perth Stadium), Adelaide Oval, Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane), Marvel Stadium (Melbourne), GIO Stadium Canberra, Bellerive Oval (Tas), Aurora Stadium (Launceston).
- Sports field management contractors — Programmed Maintenance Services (national), Spotless / Downer (event venues), Citywide Service Solutions (Vic), Cleanaway (events), HG Sports Turf (Sydney).
- Council sports field teams — major councils with sports field workforce (City of Sydney parks team includes Centennial / Moore Park sports fields, Sydney Olympic Park Authority).
- Cricket grounds specifically — Cricket Australia ground staff at MCG, SCG, GABBA (Brisbane), Adelaide Oval, WACA, Bellerive Oval, Manuka Oval; state cricket associations.
- Schools / universities sports turf — premium private schools (Geelong Grammar, Scotch, Cranbrook, Riverview) and universities with full-time turf teams.
Step 6 — Score points and lodge EOI
Use the points calculator. Lodge EOI via SkillSelect and state ROI.
Step 7 — Submit visa application
Once invited, lodge within 60 days. Standard documents required.
Use the document checklist and eligibility wizard.
Tools
- Visa fee calculator
- Document checklist
- Eligibility wizard
- Invitation rounds tracker
- Skilled Occupation List
- Occupation Shortage List
Authoritative sources
- Home Affairs
- VETASSESS
- Sports Turf Association of Australia (STA)
- Golf Course Superintendents Association of Australia (GCSAA)
- Australian Society of Sports Turf Managers
Next step
Want to map your greenkeeper profile against the 190 / 491 / 494 / 407 pathways? Book a 30-minute free strategy call with a MARA-registered agent at Global Select.